Save the Grape Bowl
Lodi, CA
The History
The Lodi Grape Bowl was built in 1940 in the depression era by the W.P.A. (Works Progress Administration). The cost of construction was about $150,000. The city of Lodi contributed $15,000 of the total cost.
Over the last 65 years the stadium was used for motorcycle and midget car races, countless football games, entertainers like Lawrence Welk, parade reviews and high school graduations.
In 1950, 23,000 people jammed into the stadium to watch the
widely publicized football game between the College of the Pacific
and the University of California. The game was a battle of two
great quarterbacks, COP's Eddie LeBaron against UC's Bob Celeri.
Since that time, many other students and athletes have grazed the
Lodi gridiron and have made this community proud.
Today the Grape Bowl has limited uses; Lodi and Tokay High football, Pop Warner football, band review and high school graduation. The stadium does not comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA") and California Building Codes and has numerous public safety concerns.
